Approved Tech Ghost Matter

[Atlas Drake]

OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION

• Intent: To submit another unique substance found only in Coalition territory, can be used as a plot macguffin or for building wacky tech.
• Image Source: ZPM
• Primary Source: The DarkStryder Campaign

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

• Name: Kathol Rift Energy aka "Ghost Matter"
• Manufacturer: Aing-Tii, Black Market (distributors)
• Affiliation: Outer Rim Coalition, Closed-Market
• 
  Production: Limited
  
• Modularity: No.
• Material: Nebulaic Accretion, Dimensional Particle Waves, Exotic Subspace-Time Fluctuations

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Classification: Gas/Refined Fuel
• Weight: Very Light
• Resistances
  Blasters/Plasma: None
• 
  Kinetic: None
  
• 
  Lightsabers: None
  
• 
  Other: None
  

[*]
Color: Spooky

SPECIAL FEATURES

• Aing-Tii Compatible
• Cthol Compatible
• Primordial Compatible
• Neutral Force Alignment

STRENGTHS

• Ancient Power Source: Just as hypermatter annihilation supplanted fusion reactors, refined Rift energy is an extraordinarily efficient form of power storage and generation common across several fallen civilizations who previously inhabited the Kathol region and surrounding Wild Space.
• Precursor Skeleton Key: Anyone in possession of sufficient ghost matter can power those few devices and/or facilities built by the Ancients which have endured the sands of time.
• Psychic Scattering Field: Because of the substance's unique Force properties, proximity to ghost matter is not so much a cloak as a localized breakdown of supernatural 'laws'. Extrasensory abilities are not reliable in close proximity.

WEAKNESSES

• Some Hallucinations Required: The Aing-Tii are immune to its deleterious effects and if the other forerunners' developed shielding tech it is long lost. Existing containment protocols are still experimental, having only succeeded so far in reducing the intensity of Rift psychosis to more infrequent outbursts.
• Improbability Calculus: This is some next level science. Ghost matter is the physical byproduct of a wound in reality, any tech which uses it cannot easily be repaired in the field and is prone to catastrophic malfunction.
• Forceconductive: Sensitives are uniquely vulnerable to the Rift's harmful properties. Effects of long term exposure are sometimes irreversible.

DESCRIPTION

For many ghost matter and similar phenomena represent the ultimate mystery of the Kathol Rift. Although the details of the Rift Disaster are long forgotten modern science has concluded that aeons ago some form of extradimensional event occurred, warping the surrounding region of spacetime into what we now know as 'the Rift' and possibly even transforming the Kathol Outback itself into the vast mostly empty void it is today. The particulars are unknown, but significant archaeological evidence indicates that the region's modern inhabitants are not the first to have studied and experimented with ghost matter as a source of power.

Although they will neither confirm nor deny many speculate that Aing-Tii technology runs mostly or completely off harnessed Rift energy. The ease with which they navigate the Rift would suggest at least a partial evolutionary immunity to the material's harmful effects on organic life. Several other theorized ghost matter relics have been discovered in Wild Space ruins, and even the Precursor's launch gates appeared to utilized a prototypical form of extra-dimensional siphoning that seems to have preceded the Disaster itself.

Considering the sheer benefits in terms of portability, power output, and longevity one would wonder why ghost matter hasn't replaced hyperfuel across the galaxy. Apart from the mentioned psychological side effects, pockets of viable ghost matter can only be found in the depths of the Kathol Rift. It is extremely difficult to extract, refine, and transport in bulk without the entire crew descending into madness. That is, if they even survive the Rift itself. The only known stockpile in the galaxy is located on the Aing-Tii homeworld, although there are serious talons to be made on the black market for any crew desperate enough to risk an illegal harvesting expedition.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Under Review.

 

[Vora Kaar]

[member="Atlas Drake"],

This is a freaking cool idea. I like the thought that has been put in so far with this. To physically make the "energy" that can be harnessed or used by the niche portion of the galaxy. Loving all of that.

Psychic Scattering Field: Because of the substance's unique Force properties, proximity to ghost matter is not so much a cloak as a localized breakdown of supernatural 'laws'. Extrasensory abilities are not reliable in close proximity.

Forceconductive: Sensitives are uniquely vulnerable to the Rift's harmful properties. Effects of long term exposure are sometimes irreversible.

You do mention extrasensory abilities that can be affected. As well as hallucinations to everyone in general. However, you don't really list the actual side-effects or symptoms for Force sensitives? Would these hallucinations just be expounded upon? or are their other side effects that only sensitives can receive?

Some Hallucinations Required: The Aing-Tii are immune to its deleterious effects and if the other forerunners' developed shielding tech it is long lost. Existing containment protocols are still experimental, having only succeeded so far in reducing the intensity of Rift psychosis to more infrequent outbursts.

As there have been people in canon, Darth Cadeus, Luke Skywalker who have learned abilities and force practices from the Aing-Tii, is this resistance to the matter biological to only these "precursor" species? or can the effects be toned down to those who are taught? Like building up an immunity to iocane powder?

Finally, I know that for this matter to be used in some processes it needs to be refined to be used. Would a refined form of this matter produce stronger results, or more potent effects? Second part to this question, is can this matter be synthesized?

 

[Atlas Drake]

[member="Vigil Rostu"]

Thanks for the kind words. I'll try and answer your questions to the best of my abilities and then we'll see what revisions are necessary if that sounds good to you.

You do mention extrasensory abilities that can be affected. As well as hallucinations to everyone in general. However, you don't really list the actual side-effects or symptoms for Force sensitives? Would these hallucinations just be expounded upon? or are their other side effects that only sensitives can receive?

This is a general reference to the same hallucinations mentioned in the Kathol Rift article on wookieepedia. You don't have to be Force sensitive to get them, but Force sensitives are extra vulnerable. They are commonly expressed as visions of spiders or other arthropods, but I have implied with my work on the Rift that this is related a more general intermittent psychosis. So yes Force users would experience particularly vivid almost 'waking dreams', but no special crazy powers or anything like that. Per the psychic scattering strength, a FU's ability to reliably call on their (extrasensory) powers is the other main side effect. Its just a colorful way of saying sometimes force push or detect thoughts won't work.

As there have been people in canon, Darth Cadeus, Luke Skywalker who have learned abilities and force practices from the Aing-Tii, is this resistance to the matter biological to only these "precursor" species? or can the effects be toned down to those who are taught? Like building up an immunity to iocane powder?

The Aing-Tii are theorized to have a physiological resistance that is baked into their DNA, so no nothing that could be taught. I specifically mention that any safeguards developed by other forerunner races have been lost/are inaccessible.

Finally, I know that for this matter to be used in some processes it needs to be refined to be used. Would a refined form of this matter produce stronger results, or more potent effects? Second part to this question, is can this matter be synthesized?

Raw Rift energy is too unstable/not very useful, 'ghost matter' as a fuel source refers specifically to the refined substance so the characteristics here should apply to the market material as it were. Synthesization isn't something I really thought about but given the unique properties of the Kathol Rift and the cosmic level events which led to its creation I am inclined to say no. Or rather, in order to synthesize it you would need to recreate the Rift Disaster or something comparable which is probably a superweapon violation haha.

 

[Vora Kaar]

[member="Atlas Drake"],

You have answered any of my concerns with the substance. I really like this idea and want to see what you can come up with that will use this as a power source.

Enjoy.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Approved.